I don’t often write songs for girls. It’s a waste of time. Like sending flowers. By the time you write the song (or send the flowers), it’s too late. The girl has already decided whether she’s interested; you’re not gonna change her mind.

Songs about girls – now, I have lots of those. But they’re for me, not for the girl.

The last time I sent anyone flowers was Valentine’s Day, 1996. I had gotten dumped hard by a girl named Rachel. I knew there was absolutely no chance of talking her out of it, so I included this note:

Rachel,
Either take me back, or take these flowers.
Jed.

The flowers weren’t really for Rachel (though she did end up taking them!). They were for me.

Here’s a song I actually did write for a girl. I found myself in a spot a while back; I had this notion that my birthday dinner with an old friend might’ve had some romantic import. For me to even pick up on something like that is a big deal… if there is a form of gaydar that pings people who are into you, I ain’t got it.

I was staying at the Chelsea for the weekend; my friend walked me back there after dinner and we awkwardly called it a night on the corner by the subway. I returned to my room with this sinking feeling that I might have just fucked up a date by not realizing I was on one.

Well, Jed, my shitty brain said to me, what better way to find out than to ask your buddy directly, via Facebook message, RIGHT NOW?

I got as far as typing that message. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s how to avoid actually doing most of the things my wack-ass brain tells me to do. So instead of sending the note, I shut myself in a Chelsea Hotel bathroom – at midnight – and sang it in four-part harmony into a recording app on my iPhone.

Jed Davis | “Question” rough mix | August 18, 2010
Jed Davis: vocals
Recorded on an iPhone at the Chelsea Hotel
Subject’s name bleeped to protect… me!

I was pleased enough with the results that I thought the song worth forwarding to its addressee. Turns out it had been a date, but she saw no reason to go on another. I like to tell myself that at least I got a song out of it.

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